The gathering socializes before the start of the dedication
In November 2017 through the generosity of the Bob and Mary Jo Strauss, the Center became the Strauss Center for Sales Excellence. Winona State University Foundation Board of Trustees member Bob Strauss and his wife Mary Jo supported the sales program with a generous endowment because they believed there needed to be more communication and exchange between the academic world and the business world.
“Bob’s passion for sharing the knowledge and expertise he gained during his career with the students at WSU is something we wanted to share,” Mary Jo said.
Bob and Mary Jo Strauss
Mary Jo and Bob Strauss are both Winona State University alumni and are loyal supporters of the university and its programs. Mary Jo graduated from Winona State in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in recreation and leisure and a minor in art. She is a member of the Alumni Society Board of Directors and served as co-chair of the Integrated Wellness Complex Capital Campaign Board. Bob earned his degree in business administration in 1976 and joined the Fastenal Company as its fourteenth employee. He was the first sales manager for Fastenal and progressed to vice president of business development for the Fortune 500 Company.
Established in December, 2013, the Winona State University Strauss Center for Sales Excellence offers students leading-edge instruction uniquely preparing them for successful careers in sales. The core curriculum offers three courses, including Professional Selling, Sales Account Management and Advanced Professional Selling with 150-160 students enrolled each semester, and there are currently over 70 Professional Selling minors in the program. Director Marianne Collins noted that, “our emphasis is on equipping new sales professionals with the content and skills that are directly relevant to today’s business needs.”
Currently, our sales students have 100 percent placement rate, with many students receiving multiple job offers. Due to the success of the program, Winona State University has been named one of the Top Universities for Professional Sales Education by the Sales Education Foundation for the last four years.
For more information on Strauss Center Sales Excellence, please contact Professor Marianne Collins at
mc******@wi****.edu